Playpark Safety Concerns at Drumaroad
SOUTH Down MLA Chris Hazzard has said that existing play facilities in Drumaroad are nothing short of a “disgrace” and require urgent attention before a child is seriously hurt.
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South Down MLA Chris Hazzard pictured with Council Paul Gribben at the Drumaroad playground where there are safety concerns by local residents.[/caption]
Mr Hazzard speaking after a recent visit to the area said: “Children in Drumaroad are not only being asked to play in an outdated and unsuitable play ground, but the steep concrete hill holding the play-slide is a serious safety concern.
“I have raised this issue now with the authorities concerned, and expect a positive response in an effort to explore ways in which the growing recreational needs of the village can be met in a safe and enjoyable manner.”
Local Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Gribben joined Mr Hazzard on a walkabout through the village and said he too was “deeply disappointed” at the poor provision of play facilities.
“Like everywhere else in Down District, the people of Drumaroad are experiencing annual hikes on their rates so it’s about time they enjoyed the benefits of adequate services and decent provision.
Sinn Féin Launch Road Safety Campaign At Drumaroad
South Down Sinn Féin representatives this week launched a road safety petition in Drumaroad in an effort to raise local awareness to the dangers of speeding traffic in the area.
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Councillor Paul Gribben with South Down MLA Chris Hazzard, centre, launch the road safety campaign in Drumaroad.[/caption]
Local MLA Chris Hazzard said: “For some years now we have been working with local people to improve the road traffic conditions in Drumaroad as speed has become an ever increasing problem.
“We have managed to secure an improvement in signage and lighting, but I would share residents’ concerns that more needs to be done to protect pedestrians in the village.
“I have been in constant contact with Roads Service recently to highlight this growing problem – and I would once again ask them to heed the pleas of local Drumaroad residents who demand improved traffic calming measures for their village.”
Also supporting the initiative, Councillor Paul Gribben added: “At every door tonight we heard the worrying accounts of cars racing through the village with little care for local children and I would ask Roads Service, and indeed the PSNI, to look hard at finding suitable solutions to this problem.”
Both Councillor Gribben and Chris Hazzard MLA also called on all drivers to be mindful of the dangers of speed on local roads, and asked them to adhere to the speed limit signposted throughout the local area.
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